More insight has been provided in regards to the shock title win when Jon Moxley defeated Bryan Danielson at AEW WrestleDream.
Following his World Title triumph at All In, Danielson declared that once he lost the championship then he would call time on his full-time career. While some were expecting a lengthy final run from The American Dragon, just 48 days later Danielson was defeated by Moxley to lose the championship in his home state of Washington.
It was previously reported that an audible was called with Darby Allin originally set to win the title from Danielson. However, according to a new update, Moxley becoming the next champion has been in the works for months.
As reported by Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the planned title changes of Swerve Strickland to Danielson to Moxley were in place before Mox won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, adding that Danielson was talked into becoming the champion at All In given the magnitude of the show:
A few notes regarding the long-term plans here. According to those close to the situation, while the story was out about Darby Allin being planned for the title this year after Bryan Danielson, the secret plan from months ago was always Danielson to Jon Moxley as a heel.
The Swerve Strickland to Danielson and then to Moxley story was planned prior to Moxley winning the IWGP title, but apparently the only people who were supposed to know were Tony Khan, Moxley, Danielson and Allin. Danielson did not want to win the title but Khan talked him into it feeling that his winning would be the best possible moment for the end of the biggest show of the year.
Danielson pretty much chose the end date in Tacoma as that date wasn’t locked in stone, but going to Moxley as a heel was the idea. The new Moxley version of the BCC is his idea
Bryan Danielson Health Update
Following the loss to Moxley, Danielson was brutally attacked by the rest of The Blackpool Combat Club to bring WrestleDream to a sad end. With Bryan Danielson stating ahead of time that he was dealing with a number of health issues ahead of the match, an update was provided on what happened after his most recent match.